Shocking Secrets Revealed: The Women Behind Prince Andrew’s Notorious Interview in ‘Scoop’

In 2019, the British royal, Prince Andrew, consented to an exclusive interview with Emily Maitlis for the BBC’s “Newsnight.” The dialogue turned out to be disastrous for the prince as he attempted to refute accusations of sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old girl trafficked by his friend, the infamous American financier and registered sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Prince Andrew’s peculiar responses, such as claiming he couldn’t sweat, became global news, and the conversation significantly impacted his standing within the royal family.

However, the events that unfolded behind the scenes are equally noteworthy. Orchestrated by “Newsnight” booker Sam McAlister, the interview required meticulous planning and is depicted in Netflix’s “Scoop,” a drama premiering Friday. Inspired by McAlister’s 2023 book, “Scoops: The BBC’s Most Shocking Interviews From Steven Seagal to Prince Andrew,” the film reveals the lead-up to and the unfolding of the infamous interview.

“‘Newsnight’ is a highly respected journalistic brand in the United Kingdom,” says McAlister. “When it comes to serious journalism, ‘Newsnight’ is one of the few outlets that deliver hard-hitting interviews. Ironically, that’s precisely why Prince Andrew should have declined the interview.”

In the film, Billie Piper portrays Sam, a “Newsnight” booker and single mother from a working-class background. After Epstein’s arrest, she persuades Prince Andrew’s private secretary, Amanda Thirsk (Keeley Hawes), that the controversial royal (Rufus Sewell) could clear his name on TV. The “Newsnight” team, including Maitlis (Gillian Anderson) and producer Esme Wren (Romola Garai), scramble to maximize the opportunity with only 72 hours of preparation.

“The storyline may seem conveniently arranged, but in reality, it was four diverse women working together to give the victims a voice,” says Piper. “They were acting on behalf of those who couldn’t or wouldn’t otherwise have access or couldn’t speak for themselves, compelling someone in a position of power to take responsibility for his actions. It’s an extraordinary piece of journalism.”

Indeed, the determination and expertise of McAlister and Wren, and Maitlis’s journalistic acumen, successfully derailed Prince Andrew. Anderson points out the significance of women making crucial decisions in an institution historically dominated by men. Documenting the creation of the interview, despite being part of “recent history,” showcases what journalists like these can achieve.

“While the film is exciting and entertaining, the essence is the interview, which was conducted for a very grave reason,” says Anderson. “The film highlights the importance of independent journalism and its ability to create a platform for tough questions to be asked of those who are typically untouchable.”

The release of “Scoop” this week is particularly relevant as the British royal family continues to grapple with media interactions. As seen by the recent frenzy over the health of Catherine, the Princess of Wales, and her pre-recorded cancer announcement, the tension between the royals and the press remains.

Here, McAlister, Piper, and Anderson share insights into the four women involved in the Prince Andrew interview as depicted in “Scoop.”

The booker

Trained as a lawyer, McAlister spent ten years as an interview producer for “Newsnight.” Her job, she explains, was to “fill the seats.” She identified potential interviewees and negotiated their appearances on the show.

“It’s a risky move to appear on a live television program like that, with exceptional presenters and producers looking to hold people accountable during rigorous interviews,” says McAlister. “So, my job was effectively to persuade people to do something that was, in essence, against their interests.”

Prince Andrew was the most infamous interview McAlister secured on “Newsnight,” but she also booked other significant figures, as detailed in her book. These include Sean Spicer, Stormy Daniels, Julian Assange, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Elon Musk. “It was a wide-ranging roster,” says McAlister. “But, of course, this one caught some attention.”

Having left “Newsnight” in 2021, McAlister was deeply involved in “Scoop,” allowing Piper to ask her questions, like how frequently she chewed gum (a lot).

“I didn’t feel the pressure that Gillian and Rufus did, because Sam wasn’t in the public eye,” Piper says. “I was able to find a few things online, but for the most part, Sam was somewhat of a mystery. But I did spend a lot of time with her before filming began and during the rehearsal period. Meeting her was a gift, as she has many delightful quirks that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from someone in her line of work. She is very much her own person and quite uncompromising in that.”

The UK is still a class-based society, and a person’s schooling can impact their career path. McAlister encountered this classism at the BBC, which tends to hire individuals from more privileged backgrounds.

“She was a trailblazer,” Piper says. “We share a similar background in that regard. But it was her roots that clinched this interview. Unlike the other people and women involved, who were wonderful but perhaps less emotionally available, it was her warmth, curiosity, wit, and good nature that I think resonated with Prince Andrew.”

McAlister was present at Buckingham Palace during the interview, and she credits her legal background with helping her maintain composure. “You can’t show any emotions, because it would be entirely unprofessional, and it could jeopardize the interview if you react or scoff,” she says. “I deserve some sort of award for not laughing.”

The journalist

Maitlis, who did not participate in the making of “Scoop,” was the lead anchor on “Newsnight.” McAlister likens her to Christiane Amanpour. “She’s had an impressive career in the United Kingdom,” says McAlister. “She’s a journalism icon. She combines intelligence and style effortlessly, a mix of intellect and celebrity that’s rather unique in this country.”

To prepare for her role as Maitlis, Anderson continually listened to segments of the Prince Andrew interview, which she had an assistant edit together. For the actual interview segment, she studied and attempted to recreate Maitlis’ real movements. “We knew which parts of the interview we were going to do, so we memorized the dialogue and, for me and Rufus, the actions,” Anderson says. “We imitated the gestures and head tilts to try and make it as accurate as possible.”

In the film, Maitlis arrives for the interview in a pantsuit, which Prince Andrew comments on. While he didn’t actually make that comment, McAlister says the line encapsulates how women in the media are often treated.

“Like many women in journalism, every aspect of Emily’s appearance is scrutinized on social media,” McAlister says. “We felt it was important that she wore something very conservative to avoid criticism about her attire being inappropriate given the seriousness of the interview and its content. The line captures the spirit of the situation.”

Reflecting on the interview, Anderson realizes why it was so successful for Maitlis. The actor notes that the anchor’s voice was surprisingly soft, even as she asked challenging questions and circled back when she didn’t get satisfactory answers. As depicted in the film, Maitlis purposefully allowed Prince Andrew to speak uninterrupted to make him feel heard and establish trust.

“She’s a tough interviewer,” Anderson says. “She doesn’t let people off the hook. She doesn’t suffer fools. But she was gentle. And that must have contributed to why he felt relaxed enough to answer in the way he did… She was definitely on her toes, calculating in a good way, and strategic in how she progressed the conversation.”

Maitlis left the BBC in 2021. She now co-hosts the daily podcast “The News Agents” alongside fellow journalists Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall. “She runs regularly and sometimes conducts interviews while running,” Anderson says. “I’ve been listening to it for a while. She’s well-known to everyone.”

The editor

Wren, the editor at “Newsnight,” had been leading the news program since 2018, having moved from Sky News. McAlister refers to her as the “big boss” who guided “Newsnight” in its coverage.

“She was the top of the food chain on our program,” says McAlister. “There were people above her at the BBC in terms of management, most of whom we never knew what they did but they seemed to be paid a lot and enjoyed themselves. But she was the real deal. She was so cool that she didn’t even come to Buckingham Palace for the interview. That’s a woman with no ego.”

In the movie, and in reality, Wren stays at the BBC office while Maitlis and the crew head to the palace to interview Prince Andrew. “She didn’t come to any of the negotiations,” McAlister says. “She stayed behind, and in a sense, she sacrificed herself because of her relentless professionalism. And I think that’s a point of difference from many people in the media.”

Currently, Wren is the editor of Channel 4 News, a rival to “Newsnight,” and as McAlister points out, “none of the protagonists in the film have remained in our jobs.”

The aide

In the film, McAlister’s relationship with Thirsk is complex. Thirsk was Prince Andrew’s private secretary for six years, eventually stepping down after the BBC interview. However, despite her duty to protect Prince Andrew’s interests and public image, she and McAlister formed a personal connection.

“Sam greatly admired Amanda and I think they spoke a few times even after everything had happened,” says Piper. “Sam respects her a lot, and I don’t think there’s any animosity between them. They’re both single mothers. They’re both working women in relatively high-power positions. They found common ground, and they seemed to have fondness for each other.”

McAlister says she was “impressed” by Thirsk, noting that “she’s an icon of integrity and good behavior.”

“But ultimately, she believed in Prince Andrew, and that’s the job,” McAlister says. “And she did her job so well. But that created the problem for her because she thought perhaps that he would do a brilliant interview. And he thought he had done a brilliant interview. But, obviously, the public perception of that interview was very different from his perception.”